Shape Memory Alloy Compression Device for Wearable Blood Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current compression devices for enhancing blood flow, such as pneumatic arterial constriction devices, are bulky and restrictive, limiting patient or athlete mobility during treatment, and often cause discomfort due to materials like PVC, which can lead to poor compliance and increased risk of conditions like deep vein thrombosis and peripheral vascular disease.
Innovation Solution
A compression device utilizing shape-changing materials, like shape memory metal alloys or phase change materials, integrated with elongated compression textiles to apply controllable intermittent sequential compression, allowing for comfortable and mobile use by being incorporated into articles of clothing or wearable forms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pneumatic arterial constriction devices are used to enhance blood flow, then blood circulation is improved, but patient mobility is restricted and discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional pneumatic mechanical compression systems with shape memory alloy (SMA) elements that respond to thermal or electrical stimuli. The SMA elements autonomously change shape to apply compression, eliminating the need for bulky pneumatic pumps and hoses, thereby maintaining blood circulation benefits while significantly improving patient mobility and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the activation parameter from pneumatic pressure to thermal or electrical stimulation of shape memory materials. This allows the compression device to be activated by simple temperature changes or low-voltage electrical signals, enabling wearable integration and patient mobility while maintaining effective compression for blood flow enhancement.
2Reliability
If traditional pneumatic compression devices are used, then blood flow is enhanced, but device bulkiness and restrictiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex pneumatic mechanical systems with intelligent shape memory alloy elements that self-actuate in response to thermal or electrical stimuli. This eliminates bulky external compression mechanisms, pumps, and hoses, reducing device complexity and bulkiness while maintaining effective blood flow enhancement through controlled compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The shape memory alloy elements perform the compression function autonomously when exposed to appropriate stimuli, eliminating the need for external power sources, control systems, and mechanical transmission components. This self-service capability dramatically reduces device bulkiness and complexity while maintaining reliable blood flow enhancement.
3Force
If PVC materials are used in compression devices, then compression function is achieved, but patient comfort decreases and compliance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs shape memory alloy elements integrated with biocompatible, comfortable wearable materials instead of traditional PVC. The SMA provides the necessary compression force through shape change, while the wearable substrate ensures patient comfort and skin compatibility, thereby improving compliance without compromising compression effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material composition from rigid PVC to flexible, biocompatible materials combined with shape memory alloys. This allows the device to maintain compression functionality while providing patient comfort through breathable, skin-friendly materials, significantly improving compliance rates.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides effective blood flow circulation improvement without restricting mobility, enhancing patient or athlete compliance and reducing the risk of conditions like deep vein thrombosis and peripheral vascular disease, while being comfortable and easy to use.
Implementation Method 1
the shape changing material may be a shape memory metal alloy (SMA) that contracts in response to heat or to an electrical current
Implementation Method 2
the shape changing material may be a phase change material that contracts as the material changes phase
Implementation Method 3
the pre-tensioning element is an elastic band, such as a bungee cord, that is connected across the shape changing material element
Data Source
AI summary
A compression device for applying controllable compression to a portion of the anatomy of a user, includes a body, at least one memory wire embedded in the body and configured to contract in length upon application of a current so as to reduce an effective length of the body and apply a compressive force to the portion of the anatomy of the user, and a controller configured to selectively apply current to the memory wires to contract the memory wires and reduce the effective length of the body. The controller includes a circuit board supported by the body and a microcontroller mounted to the circuit board, the microcontroller programmed to actuate the memory wires according to a compression protocol stored in a memory associated with the microcontroller. Each memory wire has a first end fixedly connected to the circuit board and a second end fixed relative to the body.